Modeling the solid particle erosion of rubber particulate-reinforced epoxy

• Published in: Tribology international 2021-01, Vol.153, p.106656, Article 106656
• Main Authors: Arani, Navid H., Eghbal, Majid, Papini, Marcello
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Elastomers; Erosion rates; Erosion resistance; Mixture rule; Particulate composites; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer matrix particulate composite; Reinforcement; Rubber; Silicon carbide; Solid particle erosion
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2020.106656

Despite the relatively high erosion resistance of elastomers, few studies have considered using them as reinforcements for polymer composites. This study investigated the erosion of rubber particle-reinforced epoxy composites by angular silicon carbide particles. The erosion rates were found to be significantly lower than the neat epoxy for all tested conditions. Using the erosion rates of the two constituents, a new mixture rule based on the reinforcement areal coverage predicted the erosion rates to within 0.5%–10% of those measured. The areal coverage depended on the reinforcement size and volume fraction and could be accurately predicted assuming a random reinforcement distribution. The methodology may be an effective tool for the prediction of the erosion rate of other composites with elastomeric reinforcements. •Rubber reinforced epoxy composites were more erosion resistant than neat epoxy.•Rubber particles eroded slowly without fracturing and being removed.•Erosion rate of composites accurately predicted using new areal-coverage based mixture rule.•Reinforcement size was found to have a significant effect on the erosion rate.